THE bravery of wildlife rangers is saluted today as the world mourns the courageous 107 frontline guardians who died on duty last year. Forty-eight rangers were murdered by poachers while another 50 died in accidents performing one of the most perilous tasks on the planet.

Infectious diseases such as malaria and attacks from wild animals are also a constant threat to rangers operating in remote and treacherous landscapes.

Among the tragic roll of honour of those who gave their lives protecting the planet’s natural heritage is Rachel Katumwa, believed to be the first female ranger killed on active service.

The 25-year-old guard was gunned down protecting two British tourists ambushed in the Congo’s famous Virunga National Park in May.

As leading conservation charity WWF today applauds the courageous figures saving elephants, rhinos and other endangered creatures from poaching gangs in Africa and Asia, it has released details from a forthcoming survey that show the personal hardships faced by those performing dangerous work that saw one in seven rangers seriously injured last year.

Some of the world’s greatest wildlife photographers have come together to give a remarkably candid view of our most cherished and elusive birds and mammals at ease in their remote haunts

Rangers are at the forefront of wildlife protection, but shockingly despite their willingness to face life-threatening situations to protect wildlife, few are receiving fair pay, insurance and adequate training.

Rohit Singh

Today marks World Ranger Day with it comes confirmation from the International Ranger Federation and Thin Green Line Foundation that the 107 death toll between July 2017 and June this year is up from 101 deaths last year. Since 2009, 871 rangers have died on duty.

With nearly nine out 10 rangers admitting to WWF that poachers are make their role ever dangerous, the charity is calling for urgent action to reduce the death toll as well as tackling the poor medical treatment and lack of adequate insurance for the brave men and women guarding wildlife.

Rohit Singh, WWF’s zero poaching lead and president of the Ranger Federation of Asia, said today: “The World over, we’re facing a rapid decline in nature including some of our most beloved species.

“Rangers are at the forefront of wildlife protection, but shockingly despite their willingness to face life-threatening situations to protect wildlife, few are receiving fair pay, insurance and adequate training.

African wildlife up close and personal

Penny Robartes, a Photo Tour Leader for ORYX captured these stunning up close and personal wildlife images. www.oryxphotography.com

As a wildlife photographer, I constantly have to be aware of the scene around the subject I'm wanting to photograph. The background is as important as the animal. Arriving at the scene of sleeping lions, I was very aware of the beautiful colours behind hi

Despite the ever constant threat of death or life-changing injuries, only 36 per of rangers say they have insurance coverage.

Similarly, only 15 per cent of rangers surveyed say they have been given first aid training within the last year.

Full details of the WWF survey of rangers working in Asia and Central Africa is expected later this year.

The charity is presently surveying rangers in East Africa.

The WWF said: “The regions are renown as the most dangerous for the profession due to high levels of poaching to feed the demand for illegal wildlife trade products, largely coming from China and neighbouring countries."